This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/10/2020
The offered photo of Elvis Presley and Marine Private Hershel Nixon was taken in the chambers of Memphis Judge Boushe on March 25, 1957 (which was also the day the Presley's finalized the purchase of Graceland). Three days earlier, Nixon confronted Elvis while he was leaving the Hotel Chisca in downtown Memphis. Nixon claimed that Elvis had been rude to Nixon's wife at a prior meeting between the two. An altercation ensued between the two men in which Elvis pulls a prop gun he was carrying. Nixon was interviewed by the reporters the next day, and the bizarre incident became national news, of course. Horribly embarrassed by the incident, Elvis wrote the Marine a overly-long telegram seeking and offering an apology. Judge Boushe was able to get the two men together in his chambers, and the whole affair was settled with a handshake. Several photos of the two shaking hands with the judge present have been seen before, but the offered image was most likely never published. The incident marked the first of two famous meetings and handshakes with a Nixon, the other coming in 1970 at the White House. The only newsroom notation on the reverse reads “80847,” a file numbering seen on other period news service photos and many offered in this auction. The photo measures 8 x 10 inches. The photo presents with only minor blemishes, with some corner wear on the lower left. Near Mint condition.